Page:Dr Adriaan (1918).djvu/101

Rh Constance led her sister almost mechanically through the passages and up the stairs.

"It's a gloomy house," said Adolphine, with a shiver at the sight of the oak doors.

"Yes, it is rather gloomy. . . . Fortunately, it's large; there's plenty of space."

"Really?" asked Adolphine, growing interested. "Have you many rooms?"

"Oh, a great many! . . . When the old man was alive, they were all empty. Now they are nearly all full."

"Nearly all?"

"Very nearly. . . . This is my own sitting-room."

They went in.

"It's the furniture from your drawing-room at the Hague," said Adolphine.

"Yes. I can imagine myself at the Hague here."

"Do you like the Hague?"

"I'd rather live there than here. But Henri and Addie are attached to the house: it's their family house."

"They are fine, big rooms," said Adolphine, in humble praise. "I'm living in a very small house now."

"Ah, but there are so few of you!"

"That's true."

"How's your husband?"

"He's not very grand . . . Marietje neither."

"Isn't she well?"

"No. She's very full of nerves. I consulted Dr. Berens, to ease my mind."

"What does he say?"

"He . . . he suggested that . . ."

"That what, Adolphine?"

"He said . . . that Addie was beginning to make such a name . . . as a nerve-specialist. He